Despite losing his hands, a veteran has launched a family café in Lviv, showcasing resilience and strength in the face of adversity.

To learn about how military veteran Sergey Petchenko sustained his injury, what motivates him today, and his dreams for the future, read the article on Novini.LIVE.

The Defender's Journey — How War Changed Sergey Petchenko's Life

Sergey Petchenko is a Ukrainian who has endured the harrowing trials of war but has remained resilient. In 2015, he voluntarily went to the front lines to defend Ukraine against Russian aggression. He suffered a gunshot wound to his leg and was discharged. However, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022, he rejoined the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"Since 2014, I have not liked the Russians, so in 2022, I saw myself nowhere other than in the Armed Forces of Ukraine," says the veteran.

In June 2023, while on a combat mission, Sergey sustained an injury that resulted in the loss of both his arms.

"That day, I was returning home from the military unit. I was traveling by train, and I felt unwell in the compartment. I lost consciousness and don't remember anything else. Unknown individuals threw me off the train... You know, in the trenches, the guys always pray to avoid being '300' (wounded) or disabled. Because I know how hard surgeries and rehabilitations can be. But I never expected to lose both arms," notes Petchenko.

After his injury, the man underwent six months of treatment. Once his wounds healed, he began the rehabilitation and prosthetics phase at the Superhumans Center. Today, Sergey and his wife Anna have opened a family cafe called "Vrazhaye." The couple had prior experience in the restaurant business, having owned establishments in the Kharkiv region before the war.

"Vrazhaye!" — A Cafe That Impresses with Its Story

"We work together with Anna. In Kharkiv region, we sold our establishments and started thinking about our business here. Initially, I thought it would be fast food, but it turned into a family cafe. This is our coffee-and-breakfast story. Our place is decorated in warm sandy tones and has a cozy atmosphere. The highlight of the establishment is a large mirror at the entrance with the inscription 'Ti Vrazhayesh!' This idea belongs to Anna; she wanted every guest to feel their uniqueness here," adds Sergey.

Sergey's wife mentions that the name "Vrazhaye" didn't come immediately. They acquired the cafe's name through a donation to the charity project "Imennik" — a year-long marathon to support entrepreneurs.

"It's a wonderful name that relates to our family, showing that Sergey, despite his injuries, has not lost hope and impresses with his spirit. And everyone who visits us says they are impressed by the interior, food, and coffee. My husband also impresses me after 19 years together. I love him for his courage, strength, character, and loyalty," says Anna.

Military veteran Sergey states that today, his motivation comes from his son Nazar and wife Anna, as he doesn't want to stand still. Besides motivation, he has a cherished dream — to drive again.

"My motivation is my family. I want to be close to my son. He is four years old and needs a lot of attention. For him, I am ready to move mountains in Lviv region. And for myself, I want to drive again — I will make it happen," emphasizes Sergey.

We remind you that we previously wrote about how to register for housing in 2025 for combat action participants.

We also covered how combat action participants can receive financial assistance from the government.